- UEFA have appointed Omar Artan as the referee for the Super Cup final between PSG and Aston Villa
- This comes after he was denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup
- The decision caused widespread criticism of the USA
Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa, after an announcement by UEFA.
The landmark cross-confederation appointment will see the 34-year-old take charge of the fixture on the 12th August in Salzburg, following a high-profile diplomatic dispute that saw him barred from the World Cup.
Artan, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, heads into the match following intense international controversy. Despite being selected by FIFA as a match official for the World Cup, the Somali national was denied entry to the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport.
U.S. immigration officials turned Artan away under strict border and national security vetting. Consequently, the decision drew sharp condemnation from the Somali government and sparked wider tournament criticism.
Denied his dream of becoming the first Somali to officiate in a World Cup, Artan returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu, only for UEFA to step in with an unprecedented offer.
UEFA president backs appointment
The appointment materialised through a collaborative agreement between UEFA and the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin strongly defended the choice, framing the decision as both a meritocratic reward and a symbol of international unity.
He stated: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”
Villa’s historic fixture
The fixture marks an extraordinary chapter in Villa’s transformation under Unai Emery. Having defied the odds to secure a top-four Premier League finish whilst achieving Europa League glory, the Villans now find themselves competing for silverware for the second time in three months.
It would be a monumental achievement should they defeat PSG, and it will be a battle reminiscent of the Champions League quarter-final just over a year ago.
